Brandon Pirri shines again as Rangers win second straight preseason game

AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek

Another game, another multi-point night for Brandon Pirri. He scored a goal and an assist in the first period and added a powerplay goal in the third. In two games, he has a line of 3-2-5. Pirri was the entirety of the Rangers offense, as they beat the Devils 3-1 to improve to 2-0 on the preseason. Since it’s the preseason, bullet points sum up how the kids played better than goal breakdowns. On to it:

• Nick Holden looked like he belonged early, leaving Mike Cammalleri wide open in front. Antti Raanta bailed him out. But then he bailed out Raanta later in the period. Funny how that works.
• Jimmy Vesey got sprung for a break early by Kevin Hayes, and wow what speed. If Hayes and Vesey click with Nash, that’s some incredible speed, talent, and vision on one line.
• Apparently Hayes lost 20 pounds, per the broadcast crew. That’s interesting. Obviously it’ll help him be quicker. But what bothers me is that he lost 20 lbs in about four months. Would take me two years to do that.
• John Gilmour has a rocket of a shot. It seems like the Rangers have targeted guys that look to shoot recently.

• Pirri had another great game. He’s going to force the coaching staff to keep him around and find a spot for him. It doesn’t matter where he is in the lineup at this point.
• Just a one game observation, but I don’t think Holden has done anything better than Dylan McIlrath or Adam Clendening. McIlrath has an extra step this year, and was still good making that first pass. We all saw what Clendening did. So where does Holden fit?
• Ryan Graves looks like he is 11 years old.
• This game, like last game, had a lot of net-front presence by the Rangers in the offensive zone. Certainly has been nice to see on a somewhat consistent basis.
• Also this game, again like last game, it is so clear that this team is infinitely better on offense. They are faster, more skilled, and moving the puck like a team. It’s great to watch.
• The Rangers are still giving up good opportunities and missing assignments in the defensive zone. That could be due to new players, new system, complicated system, etc. But something to keep an eye on. Better players will score more often when given these opportunities.
• Mackenzie Skapski played his second straight solid game. He seems to have finally healed from his hip surgery.
• Also consistent is the special teams play. Two straight games with a good PP and a good PK. Improved speed/skill helps immensely, but don’t discount the Pirri/Zibanejad presence. Both look to shoot, and shoot often.
• Kevin Hayes should shoot more. Basically anyone not named Pirri and McIlrath should shoot more.
• I wonder where Marek Hrivik fits in all of this. I put him ahead of Lapierre and Glass, but after that? I honestly don’t know. I’ve liked him better than Nathan Gerbe thus fat, and Josh Jooris is injured. He might be a wild card.
• The Rangers have scored four powerplay goals in two games. Progress.

The Rangers have a busy schedule coming up, with games on Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday. I’d expect the next round of cuts to come before the Saturday game, as that’s when the World Cup players start returning to action.